Bridging the gap between interior design & construction
to elevate your spaces in ways you never dreamed possible
Overland Park Interior Designer
Meet Kara
Kara Kersten, Founder and Principal Designer
When it comes to creating homes that work well for each clients’ unique lifestyle and resonate with their individual tastes, Kara knows there’s no one-size-fits-all anything for their designs. She approaches every choice, every solution, every item individually and intentionally to suit each client and their home.
“It’s up to the client how far they want to go but it’s my duty to show them what’s truly possible and guide them away from choices they’ll end up regretting.”
With a degree from Kansas State University’s five-year Interior Architecture and Product Design program, Kara’s deep knowledge of both design and construction set her apart. This plus her nearly two decades of industry experience uniquely equip her to achieve levels of customization for her clients’ spaces that go far above and beyond the usual options.
“Repetitive, ‘cookie-cutter’ designs go against the very essence of who I am.”
No matter the project, Kara’s goal is always to find the balance between listening to what her clients want and showing them what’s possible. Although she brings a bold vision with innovative ideas, she looks at her clients as individuals and never tries to push an agenda of her own on them. we’re able to provide them with outstanding care and support, as well as highly personalized designs that resonate with them on a deep level.
award winning
designer
In her former blog, Meant To Be Midcentury,
Kara showed her fun, easygoing personality
while tracing her own family’s renovation
journey. It’s a great window into her approach
to design, as well as her sense of humor and
candor.
When Kara isn’t working or updating her own
home, she loves traveling with her family,
going to the lake, golfing with her husband,
and hanging out and having dance parties in
the kitchen with her kids (when they’re not too
embarrassed by her, that is!).
“I believe my clients deserve to work with professionals who won’t take advantage of their lack of experience with design and construction projects.”
Kara uses her background and expertise to help her clients navigate the complexities of their projects. From helping them gather bids to standing in the gaps between her clients and their architect and builder, Kara advocates for her clients’ interests and makes sure everyone understands exactly how to give them their dream space.
“Being different and having fun is my jam.”
Working on custom home build job sites early in her career, Kara learned that cleaning up the site at the end of the day allowed her to catch potential quality control issues and nip them in the bud. Today, whether it’s poring over plans, visiting the job site, or communicating directly with trusted contractors, she still ‘sweeps the sawdust’ of each client’s project, going over everything in detail to ensure all is on track and heading in the right direction.
“I still ‘sweep the sawdust.’”
Meet the Team
betsy Kersten
Architect
Betsy earned her Master's Degree in Architecture from Kansas State University. As a registered architect with 13 years of experience in the industry, her career encompasses a variety of project types and locations.
While first working in Los Angeles, she developed an appreciation for beautiful materials & custom luxury design. Back in Manhattan, KS, she enjoyed designing several residential renovations. Over the past 8 years, Betsy has loved being back in Kansas City with friends and family. She has learned the value of design processes and team collaboration. Through co-creating with all parties on a project, Betsy enjoys guiding the client through every stage of the project. She believes that client feedback, early & often, helps to ensure a successful project. Her goal when starting OAK Design-Studio was & is to create unique and beautiful projects that delight your family for decades to come.
Lori funkey
Designer
Lori loves the process of collaborating with her clients to develop an understanding of their own unique design tastes. Creating a partnership of trust allows them to navigate the design process together from the layout, through furniture selection and final details.
Design has always been a creative outlet throughout Lori’s career. She began her professional life in Chicago selling for a global I.T. consulting firm. After many years of success, she created a personal shopping service that focused on bringing a curated, personal gift shopping experience to Chicago-based, career-focused C-Level executives.
After starting a family in Chicago, she and her husband Mike moved to Prairie Village, KS and firmly planted their roots. With her two daughters in high school, Lori found her entrepreneurial voice getting louder and louder. Five years ago, she began sharing her passion of interior design and started Lori Funkey Interiors.
Meg Hilburn
Designer
Meg is a lifelong creative whose specialty is creating spaces that truly reflect who clients are and how they live. She grew up in a historic Chicago home with an antiques dealer mom, working on home projects most weekends. College + her husband brought her to KC for a successful career in advertising and at Hallmark as a Creative Director/Strategist. But Interior Design kept calling, so she returned to school to earn two more degrees in Interior Design and Kitchen & Bath, and sat for her NKBA Certification test to earn her AKBD Accreditation—meaning she’s certified in Kitchen & Bath codes and guidelines including ADA Compliance.
She’s an experienced award-winning designer of Circa Interior Design, but most importantly, a true collaborator who strives to ensure partners and clients feel listened to, happy and comfortable throughout the design process. She’s also a self-starter with high drive to get the job done “whatever it takes.” Because at the end of the day, she believes interior design has the power to transform lives (it does!).
our core values
Create with Originality.
Lead with Empathy.
Deliver Quality.
Rooted in the classics. Elevated by originality.
KKD’s Design Philosophy:
At Kara Kersten Design, we specialize in creating designs that are rooted in the classics and layered with fun, modern, unexpected elements for a timeless, original mix. We bring the science of architecture together with the art of design (plus a little project guardian angel thrown in!) to help you achieve deeply personal levels of customization in the look, feel, and functionality of your home.
Fred S.
Kara and her team were a delight to work with, bringing a discerning eye, attentive listening, and well-grounded expertise to the art and science of design.
“The process, from design to execution, was a master class in understanding a client’s lifestyle goals and turning them into reality. Kara’s hands-on approach simplifies the process, providing top choices in materials and guiding clients through selections to save time and energy. Her deft coordination with contractors and trades ensures seamless execution. I couldn’t be more pleased with my redesigned home and highly recommend Kara and her team.”
Megan W.
Kara is amazing! We loved the entire process of working with her and the results in our home are fantastic. Thank you!
“Working with Kara was amazing. She can visual a room and has excellent ideas for what works within a specific space. She was able to create designs for our house based on a video call and floor plans. We loved the entire process of workin with Kara. And the results in our home are fantastic. Thank you!”
Linda E.
Kara was easy to work with and offered expertise without overloading me with too many choices.
“My contractor recommended Kara. I had an idea of what I wanted to do with my kitchen, but she offered expertise to help me with selections. She didn't overload me with choices, but she also kept searching for materials when I wasn't sold on the first two or three. She was easy to work with and responsive to my texts/calls/emails.”
Are you ready to transform your home with smart design and functionality solutions
let's talk
that make your everyday life oh-so-much better and more beautiful?!
